Pumping mechanism



Aug. 31., 1937. f H T BLOM 2,091,907

PUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 21 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 v l zZ( 24a :(033 f1.9 yumnugmil plum;

Aug'. 31, 1937. H T BLOM, 2,091,901

PUMPING MECHANISM l Filed 'July 2l 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STAT-ES PUMPING RIECHANISM Hjalmar T. Blom, Michigan City, Ind., assgnor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 21, 1933, Serial No. 681,526

` 32 Claims. This invention relates to valve mechanisms,

and more particularly to valve mechanisms especially designed to use in compressors or pumps.

An object of this invention is to provide animproved valve mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved valve mechanism especially designed to use with compressors or pumps, and extremely simple in design and eiiicient in operation. A further object is the provision of an improved valve mechanism of the combined inlet and discharge type, the inlet and discharge valve structure being arranged in an improved and extremely compact manner. Still another object is to provide an improved valve for such a valve 15 'mechanism and improved valve positioning and guiding means. These and other objects will, however, subsequently more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown several forms which the invention may assume 2c in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig.' 1 is a sectional view showing oneillustrative form of the improved valve mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of valve and valve positioning and guiding means.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a further modified form of valve and valve positioning and guiding means.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a still further modified form of construction.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of a compressor or pump cylinder, I, having a bore 2, said cylinder member-being provided with a head 3 havingv a chamber 4 communicating with the bore 2 and constituting an extension of the cylinder bore, or a counterbore. Within the cylinder head is arranged a series of recesses 5 each of which receives one of my improved valve mechanisms, and of which recesses Abut one is shown. These recesses communicate 45 With a discharge chamber 6 formed in the cylinder and with an inlet chamber 'I formed in\ the head. Each recess provides coaxial, axially spaced shoulders 8 and 9, and upon these shoulders there are respectively seated an inlet valve mechanism I0 and a discharge valve mechanism Il. These valve mechanisms are almost identical in general design. Between the valve mechanisms there is a chamber I2, communicating, through a lateral passage I3, with the cylinder bore; and fluid 55 flows through the inlet valve mechanism I0,

Y through this chamber, to the compressor cylinder and from the compressor cylinder past the discharge valve mechanism I I. It will be obvious that, in a smaller compressor, for example, single inlet and discharge mechanisms may be used for 5 each working end of the compressor cylinder, and that the space relation of the valve mechanisms to the cylinder may be varied to suit the designer.

The inlet valve mechanism I0 comprises an outer annular valve cage member `YI4 having an 10 annular flange I5 seated on the shoulder 3 and having a series of radially located flow ports I6 separated by vertical ribs I1, and also a cylindrical portion fitting within the chamber 5 adjacent the shoulder 8. Fitting a bore I8 formed in l5 the valve cage member I4 is an inner valve cage member I9 havingv a. radial ange 20 seated on the upper surface of the valve cage member I4,

and. a series of radially located flow ports 2l I communicating with the upper end of an annu- 20 lar valve chamber 22 formed between the parts I4 and I9 and within which an improved annular valve 23 is arranged. The passages 2I also communicate with the chamber I2 at the bottom of the valve cage member I9. Formed integral with 25 the -outer valve cage member I4 are inwardly projecting portions or ledges 24 which underlie, support and guide the valve 23 during the movements thereof. It is thus evident that the valve cage members I4 and I9 cooperateto form a 30 valve cage within which the improved valve is arranged. As previously stated, the valve cage and valve of the discharge valve mechanism are substantially identical to those described above in regard to the inlet valve mechanism and in a 35 similar manner the `valve cage members 25 and 26 cooperate to form a valve chamber 21 within which the improved discharge valve 23 is arranged, the discharge valve being guided and positioned within the valve chamber in a manner identical to that above described in regard to the inlet valve. The outer valve cage member 25 of the discharge valve mechanism is seated on the shoulder 9 previously mentioned. In the present construction, the valve cages are held in position on their seats by a. center stud 30 common to both valve mechanisms and having threaded thereon nuts 3l, 3| respectively engaging the inlet and discharge valve cages. 'Ihe stud is threadedly secured at 32, within the casing of the cylinder I, as shown in Fig. '1.

The improved inlet and discharge valves 23 and 28 are identical in form. As shown in Fig. 2 the inlet valve 23 is formed of a strip of at steel bent annular in shape and having formed at one end an inwardly bent portion 33 guided within a slot 34 formed in the inner valve cage member 26. The flow openings I6 are surrounded by arcuate valve seating surfaces 35 struck from the axis of the valve mechanism, while the inner cage member,` is provided with a cylindrical abutment surface 36 concentric with the valve seating surfaces with which the valve engages when in its open or unseated position. Above this abutment sur- 10 face are the radial lower edges 24a of the Walls separating the upper ends of the passages 2|.' During opening and ,closing movements o f the valve, the valve is supported and guided by the underlying projections 24 formed on the outer l5 Valve cage member I4 and by the surfaces 24a just described. The inwardly bent portion 33 cooperating with the slot 34 prevents bodily rotative movement of the valve about the axis of the valve mechanism, thereby preventing the ends of the valve from moving into a position in which leakage could occur. The unbent end of valve 35Wsrill slide overthe fixed end during opening of the valve.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the inwardly bent portion 33 on the valve and the cooperating guide slot 34 are omitted and the valve is held against rotative movement by a pinN 31 carried within a bore 38 formed in the inner valve cage member and passing 'through an opening 39 formed in the valve intermediate the ends of the latterf` One end of the valve is inwardly bent at 40, and the inner abutment surface 36 of the inner valve cage member is slotted or notched at 4I to receive this bent valve end when the valve is in its open or contracted position. It will be understood that the ends of the valve slide the one along the wall of the surface 36 and the other along the outer surface of the rst end.

In the species of Fig. 4 astill different ,arrangey4() ment of the Valve and valve locating pin is to be found. In this Iform, passing of the ends of the valve the one over the other is avoided and the valve is shortened to permit it to engage the surface 36 without overlapping of its ends. In accomplishing this, it is necessary to provide a relatively wide imperfo'rate portion 44, and the spaced ends of the valve 23 are held from movement circumferentially from this portion by a pin 42 held in a bore 43 within the portion 44; and the latter has a curved portion 45 engaged by the valve ends.

In the three forms of the invention above de-` scribed, when the compressor piston moves in one direction, fluid is drawn in from the inlet chamber 1past the inle'i'I valve 23 (which is ink its innermost, open, contracted .or compressed, position at that time) through the chamber I2 and pas-` While the discharge Valves are opened, permitting` the compressed fluid to flow into the discharge passage 6. When the valves move into' their open position, they are held in position against the inner cylindrical or arcuate abutment surfaces v 35, andas they move towards their closed position they expand into engagement with the arcuate valve seating surfaces surrounding the flow passages.

In the modied form of construction shown in Fig. 5, the cylinder and head constructions are very similar to thosedescribed above, and likewise the chambers 5, I2 and passage I3 are approximately the same, and the valve mechanisms are arranged in similar manner in the chamber 5 for receiving lthe same. In this form of the invention the structure of the valve mechanisms is somewhat different in that each valve mechanism includes a plurality of Valves, and the valves foreach valve mechanism are different in form. 'I'he inlet valve mechanism is indicated at 50 and the discharge valve mechanism at 5I. The inlet valve mechanism includes an outer cage member 52 provided with an annular shoulder 53 seated on the shoulder 8. Formed in the walls of the outer valve cage member are ow passages 54 similar to the flow passages I6 and likewise separated by vertical ribs. Formed in the upper portion of the valve cage member 52 are additional How passages 55 surrounded by an inner plane valve seat 56 lying in a transverse plane. This valve cage member is provided with an inner anl nular hub portion 51 having secured thereto by screws 58 an inner valve cage member 59. This common valve cage member is provided with flow passages 60 and 6I and has formed thereon annular ribs 62 and 63, the annular rib 62 forming a stop for a bowed annular spring 64 for holding an annular plate or wafer Valve 65 against the valve seat 56. The annular rib 63 forms a stop for a split annular valve 66, similar to the valve 35 above described. The valve 66 is guided within an annular valve chamber 61 formed by upper and lower projections 68 and 69 formed by vertical ribs separating the flow passages in the inner valve cage member.

'I'he discharge valve mechanism is substantially identical in design to the inlet valve mechanism above described and includes a plate or wafery valve 10 and annular valve 1I substantially identical to the valves 65 and 66. 'I'he outer valve cage member 12 of the discharge valve mechanism is provided with an annular shoulder 13 engaging the shoulder 9, and the valve cages of both valve mechanisms are held in position on their seats by a center stud 14 common to both as in the preferred form of the valve mechanism shown in, Fig. 1.

In this form of the invention when the pump piston moves-in one direction, uid is drawn from the inlet chamber 5 through the ow passages I past the inlet valves 65 and 66 through the chamber I2 and passage I3 to the cylinder bore, the dischargeA valves being closed at that time. Upon movement of the pump piston in the opposite direction, the compressed fluid holds the inlet valves on their seats and the compressed fluid flows through the flow passages in the discharge valve cage past the discharge valves 10 and 1I into the discharge chamber 6.

Suitable unloading means is provided to cooperate with the inlet valve element 65. lThe hub portion 51 of the inlet valve is bored out as at 15 to provide a guide. A member 16, having arms 11 projecting into position to engage the upper surface of valve 65, and having a cylindrical por` tion 18 guided within the`bore 15, is' normally held, by a spring 19 in a position out of engagement with the valve. To move member 16 to unloading position a piston 86 is arranged in a cylinder 8| held by suitable means, such as one or more screws, one of which is shown at 82, to a boss on the cage 51. The piston is adapted to engage a reduced portion 83 of the member 16 which Vprojects'into the open lower end of the cylinder 8I and to force member 16 downward and that an improved combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism is provided which is extremely simple in design and having an improved valve element whereby all necessity of a separate valve spring is eliminated. It will further be noted that each valve unit, in its simpler form, is composed of but three parts, which are extremely simple in structure and which may be easily and-cheaply manufactured. It will still further be noted l5 that by the provision of a plurality o! valve mechanisms as in the modified form oi construction shown in Fig. 5 it is possible to obtain a comparatively large valve litt area for a certain diameter of the valve bore, or, in other words, for a certain space occupied in the head by the valve. In the last species, a very advantageous combination of adequate unloading with abundant normal ow area is secured. 'Ihese and other advantages of the improved valve mechanism will be clearly apparent to those' skilled in the art.

While there are in this application speciilcally described several forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

e 1. A compressor or pump valve comprising a strip of flat metal bent to a substantially cylindrical shape and having integral positioning and guiding means at one end thereof.

2. A compressor or'pump valve comprising a strip oi' fiat metal bent to a substantially cylindrical shape andl having a single inwardly bent positioning and guiding end.

3. A compressor or pump valve comprising' a 46 strip of ilat metal bent to a substantially cylindrical shape and having an opening for engagement with a valve guiding element and having ends arranged to overlap upon opening of said valve but not when said valveis closed.

60 4. A valve mechanism comprising a valve cage having an annular valve chamber, a radially expansible split annular valve arranged in said chamber and having an inbent end portion, said valve compressible to open, and means on said 6 5 cage engaging said end portion of the valve for preventing substantial rotative movement of the valve inits chamber in either direction.

5. A valve mechanism comprising a valve cage having an annular valve chamber, a radially com- 60 pressible split annular valve arranged in said chamber and having an integral guiding portion at one end, and means on said cage engaging said guiding portion for rposltioning said valve in its chamber, said valvehaving the other end there- 65 of formed to slip over the first mentioned end on opening of said valve.

6. A valve mechanism comprising a valve cage having an annular val e chamber.- a radially expansible split annula`y valve arranged in said y 70 chamber and having an integral guiding portion,

and means including a slot formed in said cage for receiving said valve guiding portion for positioning said valve in its chamber. V

7. A valve mechanism comprising a valve cage Y 75 having an annular valve chamber, a radially compressible split annular valve arranged in said chamber, said valve having an opening formed intermediate its ends, aguide pin carried by said cage and projecting within said valve opening for guiding said valve in its chamber, and said valve having ends formed to slip Vover each other upon compression'of said valve.

8. A valve mechanism including' a valve cage having an outer annular valve cage ,memben an inner valve cage member, said valve cage members vcooperating to form an annular valve chamber, means for holding said cages in assembled relation, and a radially expansible split annular valve arranged within said valve chamber, said' outer valve cage member providing a valve seat upon which said annular valve seats whenin its outermost expanded position and said cage providing space for the free unseating movement oi' said valve throughout the full circumference of the latter. f

9. A valve mechanism including a valve cage having an outer annular valve cage member, an inner valve cage member, said valve cage members cooperating to form an annular valve cham.

ber, means for holding said cages in assembled relation, and a radially expansible split annular valve arranged within said valve chamber. said outer valve cage member providing a valve seat `upon which said annular valve seats when in its outermost expanded position and said inner valve cage member providing a cylindrical abutment surface with which said valve engages when in its innermost contracted position.

10. A valve mechanism including a valve cage having an annular outer valve cage member, a cooperating inner valve cage member, said inner member being annularly grooved to provide a valve chamber. ilow ports formed in said outer valve cage member' and having surrounding valve seats, and a radially expansible split annular valve arranged in said valve chamber and when in its outermost expanded position engaging said valve seats.

11. In a pump valve mechanism, a pair of valve cages in alinement and one for an inlet valve and the other for a discharge valve and each providing af substantially cylindrically curved valve seat, and resilient inlet and discharge valves each substantially cylindrical in outline and of substantially like radius.

12. In a pump `valve mechanism, a pair of valve cages in alinement and one for an inlet valve and ,the other for a discharge `valve and each providing a substantially cylindricall'y curved valve seat, and resilient inlet and discharge valves each substantially cylindrical in outline and of substantially like radius, and each compressible inwardly, to reduce the radial dimension thereof, upon opening movement.

13. A- combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, a plurality of inlet valves arranged within said cage, at least one of whichis radially ilexible and substantially cylindrical when in seated position, a discharge valve cage and a discharge valve arranged within said` discharge valve cage.

14. A combinedI inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, an inlet valve arranged therein, adischarge-valve cage, and a plurality of discharge valves, yat least one of which is radially ilexible and substantially cylindrical when in seated position, within said discharge valve cage. L

15. A combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, an inlet valve arranged therein, a discharge valve cage coaxial with said inlet valve cage, and a plurality of discharge valves, at least one of which is arcuate when in seated position, within said discharge valve cage.

16. A combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, a plurality of inlet valves arranged within said cage, at least one of which is arcuate when ln seated position and flexible to change its curvature on opening, a discharge valve cage coaxial with said inlet valve cage, and a discharge valve arranged within said discharge valve cage.

17. A combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, a plu yrality of inlet valves arranged within said cage, `a discharge valve cage, and a plurality of dis; charge valves arranged Within said discharge valve cage, at least one, but not all, of said valves being substantially cylindrical when in seated position.

18. A combined inlet and' discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, a plurality of inlet valves arranged within said cage, a discharge. valve cage coaxial with said inlet valve cage; and a plurality of discharge valves arranged within said discharge valve cage, at least one of said valves being arcuate when in seated position and having its axis of curvature lying in the commonaxial line of said cages.

19. A combined yinlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve cage, a plurality ofrinlet valves arranged within said cage, an alined discharge valve cage, and a plurality of discharge valves arranged within said discharge valve cage, at least one, but not all, of each of said types of valves being substantially cylindrical when in seated position.

20. A combined inlet and discharge valve mechanism including an inlet valve. cage, a plurality of inlet valves arranged within said cage, an alined discharge valve cage, and a plurality of discharge valves arranged within said discharge valve cage, at least one, buty not all, of each of said types of valves being arcuately flexed when in seated position, said arcuate valves having their axes of curvature mutually alined.

21. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage havingassociated therewith a plurality of valves performing a common control function, said cage having seats for said valves and said valves having respectively reciprocatory and expansive and contractive movements relative to their respective seats.

22. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves performing a common control function, said cage having seats arranged respectlvelycircumferentially and transversely of said cage and said valves moving respectively radially and bodily axially of said cage.

23. A pump valve Vmechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves performing a common control function, said cage having respectively circularI and cylindrical seatsfor said valves having substantially alined axes and said valves arranged to move respectively bodilyxlongitudlnally of and `radially toward and from their respective seat axes.

24. A pump valve mechanism including a plurality of valvesA performing a common function but respectively moving in angularly related planes, and unloading means cooperating with one but not the other of said valves.

v25. A pump valve mechanism `including a n.

valve cage having associated therewith respectively bodily 'reciprocable and radially compressible inlet valve devices, and unloading means for unseating one but not the other of said valve devices.

26. A valve ymechanism comprising a valve cage having an internal chamber communicable with a pump discharge and having a peripheral inwardly facing valve seat and a cylindrical discharge valve compressible inwardly to open.

27. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves, including a valve plane when seated and a valve whose seat-engaging surface is substantially cylindrical when said valve is seated, s aid cage having seats to which each of sai/d valves conforms when so seated.

28. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves, including a valve circular in outline and plane when seated and a valve whose seat-contacting surface is substantially cylindrical when said valve is seated, said cage having lseats to which each of said valves conforms when so seated.

29. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves, including a valve circular in outline and plane when seated and a valve whose seat-contacting surface is substantially cylindrical when said valve is seated, said circular valve lying within the cylinder extended of said surface and said cage having seats. to which each of said valves conforms when so seated.

= 30. A pump valve mechanism including a round valve cage providing a plurality of valve seating surfaces whose elements are respectively parallel to a line parallel to the axisof the cage and parallel to a line perpendicular to the axis of the cage, and valves, including a valve whose seat-engaging surface is curved about an axis extending in the same direction as said cage axis, coacting with said seats.

31. A pump valve mechanism including a valve cage having associated therewith a plurality of valves and' providing for said valves' seats one of which is round and another of which lies in a surface of revolution whose axis extends through the other valve seat.

f 32. A pump valve mechanism including a round valvecage providing a. plurality of valve `and respectively moving expansively and contractively and bodily rectilinearly relative to their respective seats during opening and closing.

HJALMAR T. BLOM.

CERTIFICATE C. CORRECTIOIL i n y Patent No. 2,091,907. lAugust 5l, 195'?.

' HJALMAR T. BLOM.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page li, first column, line Li, claim l5, after "position" and before the comme. insert the words and flexible to change its curvature on opening; and that the said Letters IPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed sealed this 7th day of December, A. D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal)l Acting Commissioner of Patents., 

